By the late 1960’s Germany regained economic primacy in Europe and was at the forefront of European ‘integration’, in association with France and England. It soon came to dominate the principle decision – making institutions of the European Union(EU). The EU served as Germany’s instrument for conquest by stealth. Year by year, through ‘aid’ and low interest loans,the EU facilitated German capitalist’s market penetration and financial expansion,through out south and central Europe.
James Petras, Global Research, Dec. 7 2014 --- Wall Street Journal, May 21, 2015 Germany’s Merkel Dashes Ukraine’s EU Membership Hopes Visa waivers also not expected to be introduced at the coming Riga summit By ANDREA THOMAS BERLIN—German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Thursday dashed hopes Ukraine would be awarded a visa waiver, alongside the prospect of eventually becoming a European Union member, at the EU’s Eastern Partnership summit that starts later Thursday in Latvia. “The Eastern Partnership isn't an EU enlargement policy instrument,” Ms. Merkel speaking in an address to Germany’s lower house of parliament on the coming EU summit with its Eastern European partners and the summit of the Group of Seven nations’ leaders in Germany next month. Ukraine Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin had said earlier in an interview with German daily Die Welt that he expects the EU’s Eastern Partnership summit with six former Soviet republics to promise a visa waiver to Ukrainians from next year and to give Ukraine the promise to be a potential EU member state. “Easing visa restrictions is only possible once all preconditions have been met,” Ms. Merkel said. Pointing to a recent report by the European Commission on Ukraine and Georgia, Ms. Merkel said these countries’ efforts “aren't yet sufficient and a lot still needs to be done” before the commission issues a fresh assessment, due at the end of this year. Both countries need to strengthen their fight against corruption, improve their economic structure and justice systems, she said. EU leaders will meet with their counterparts from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldavia and Ukraine at its summit in Riga. In her speech, Ms. Merkel also said the EU’s closer cooperation with the former Soviet countries isn't directed against Russia, although she warned Moscow that a thinking in influence spheres isn’t an appropriate approach to confront challenges of the 21st century. She also renewed her criticism of Russia’s annexation of Crimea and the Kremlin’s role in destabilizing eastern Ukraine. “Not least due to these circumstances is the idea of an Eastern Partnership more important than ever,” she said. “With this, we will continue to support our neighbors on their path toward a democratic society and a society ruled by law.” _______________________________________________ pen-l mailing list [email protected] https://lists.csuchico.edu/mailman/listinfo/pen-l
